Tube-welding machine



July 30, 1929. F. 1 sEssloNs TUBE WELDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 27, 1922I July 30, 1929. F SESSIONS l 1,722,711

TUBE WELDING MACHINE Filed sept. 27, '1922 e sheets-sheet 2 V if v 1F m M ggg; E

July 30, 1929- F. L. sEssloNs TUBE WELDING MACH-INE Filed Sept. 27, 1922 6 ShaeLs-Sheetl 3 Erl Il.

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July 30, 1929. F L sEsslONS 1,722,711

TUBE WELDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 27. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 30, 1929.

TUBE WELDING Filed sept. 27.V 1922 F. L. SESSIONS MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 e sheetsheet 6 July 30, 1929. F. L. sr-:ssloNs TUBE WELDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 27, 1922 Patented July 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK L. SESSIONS, OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T STEEL AND TUBES, ING., OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, CORPORATION OF OHIO.

TUBE-WELDING Application led September 27, 1922. Serial No. 500,884.

My invention relates particularly to machines for welding a longitudinal seam in adapted to the welding of tubing by the electrical resistance method although some of its features, as will appear, may be advantageously used in the welding of tubing by other agents such as, for instance, the electric arc or by the so-called gas welding process in which an Oxy-acetylene or other high temperature flame is employed as the heating agent. Y

Among the objects of my invention are: the provision of new and useful means for accurately positioning the seam cleft in the welding throat as the tube is progressively m'oved therethrough; the provision of means for varying the pressure employed to close the seam cleft; the provision of means for accurately adjusting the position of the tube transversely to the direction of its movement and in relation to the electrodes; the provision of means for exerting closing pressure upon the tube beyond the welding throat; 3o the provision of adjustable means for accurately iding the seam cleft into the Welding t roat; the provision of means for accurately adjusting the pressure of the welding electrodes upon the surface of the tube; the provision of means for varying the position of the zone of maximum side ressure relative to the zone of Contact o `the electrodes with the tube; the provision of-an electric welding circuit free from joints and 4o bolted contacts; the provision of means for accurately adjusting the position of the electrodes transversely to the line of movement of the tube; the provision of an improved electrode unit structure; the provision of improved means for supporting and guiding the welding transformer and electrodes above the work; the provision of means for deliberately and selectively raising and lowering the transformer and electrodes either rapidly or by micrometer adjustments; and the provision of means for cooling the secondaryterminals of the transformer.

, of the welding These and other objects of my invention are accomplished by the use of the mechau nisms described in 'this specification and shown in the accompanying drawings in Which- Fig. l is a side elevation of a tube welding machine embodying my invention; f

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation drawn to a larger scale of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on line III--III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on line .IV-IV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section on line V-V of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section drawn to a larger scale, on line VI--VI of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a section drawn'to a larger scale, 011 line VII-VII of Fig. 2';

Fig. 8 is a section, drawn to a larger scale, on line VIII-VIII of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the seam guide drawn to an enlarged scale.

Fig. l0 is a plan section of the seam ide on line X-X of Fig. 9 the tubing ing omitted for sakeof clearness.

Figs. 11 and l2 are vertical cross-sections 2^ of the seam guide on lines XI--XI and XII- XII respectively of Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a section on line XIII-XIII of Fig. 3.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary section on line 35 XIV--XIV of Fig. 2.

Fig. kl5 is an enlargement of a fragmentary portion of Fig. 3.

In electric tube welding machines with which I am familiar the tube which is to be welded is formed from flat metal strip, called skelp, into butted-seam tube, the seam running longitudinally of the tube. The customary operations to be performed upon the metal strip for producing an electrically welded tube are, the forming of the stri into butted-seam tubing; the traversin an guiding of the tube through the Wedin throat; the welding of the seam; the remova burr from the Welded seam, known as the deburring operation; the cooling of the welded tube; thestrai htening of the tube; and the cutting-o o. the tube. In some practices some ofthese various operations are performed in separate machines while in other practices various ones of the operation are combined -in a single machine. As my invention' relates particularly to the welding operatlon and the means for accurately performlng 1t, which includes the traversing and guiding means, I have shown in the drawings and shall describe herein in detail only those parts of the machine which are pertinent to my invention. Y

.r'lhe preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings is adapted to weld pre-formed, butted-seam tube whether the forming operation be performed b mechanism' embodied in the welding maclyijne or by a separate machine. 1n the drawings, 1 represents the base of the welding machine, which as illustrated, is. rovided with a pair of power driven tube eeding rolls, 2, 2, and a pair of power driven take-off rolls, 3, 3, carried by suitable shafts, 4, 4, mounted in adjustable bearings, 5, 5. The shafts, 4, 4, of the feed 'and takeoil' rolls may have gears, 4a, mounted u on them, the gears being of the same itch diameter as the effective diameter o the rolls, and the shafts may be driven by any suitable means such, for instance, as the driving gears, 6, which may be connected to any suitable source of power. rlhe gears, 11a, are preferably provided with long teeth to permit of their being adjusted towards and from each other by suitable means such as screws, 58, in well known manner.

rlhe base, 1, carries a vertical guide or support which in the machine illustrated in the drawingsconsists of four metal posts, 7, secured in sockets, 8, formed in thebase member, 1, or suitable brackets secured thereto. The vertical guide posts, 7 are secured at their upper ends to a head frame, 9. An electric welding transformer, 10, is

vmounted for vertical, sliding movements upon the guide posts, 7, the transformer housing bemg provided with` sliding bearings, 11, the weight of the transformer being supported from the head frame, 9, by a special supporting and hoisting means which permits -the transformer to be quickly raised, lowered .or transported by means of a separate hoist and to be raised or lowered with .great nicety of adjustment when' in posif tion on the machine by means of mechanism embodied in the welding machine itself. v Secured to the top of the transformer housing preferably' in a strong lifting-yoke,

y 12, isa threaded red, 13. rlrhe rod, 13, may

be properly securedin an aperture in yoke, 12, by means of a nut, 14, and a key, 15, the

l f latter of which prevents the rod, 13, from turning. in the aperture in yoke, 12. LThe threaded' rod, 13, extends vertically upward.

from the yoke, 12, through an opening 16,

in the head frame, 9. The opemng, 16, is

preferably keyhole shape'having a cylindrif cal portion, 16a, and a slotted portion, 16",

The cylindrical portion, 16a, of the opening, i

16, is preferably accurately bored and counter bored at its upper end to form a shoulder, 17, for supporting a thrust, ball or other anti-friction bearing, 18, which in turn supports a threaded nut, 19, which is screwed upon the threaded rod, 13. The nut, 19, may be an integral part of an operating gear, 20, or it may be formed separately and secured as a bushing in the hub of the gear, 20, as shown in the drawings, by means of a nut, 21, and key, 22.

The upper portion of the rod, 13, preferably extends above the gear, 20, a suicient distance to provide for all of the vertical adjustment of the transformer that will be required when it is in use and a lifting eye, 23, is preferably secured to the upper end of the rod, 13. -By means of the lifting eye and its connection by rd, 13, to the transformer, 10, the latter may be handled by a crane or other hoisting device when it is being assembled on on removed from its guide supports, 7. To strengthen the head frame,9, after the transformer is in place, a' spacing-block, 24, may be secured in the sFlot, 16", by means of bolts, 25, as shown in Lb rotate the nut, 19 Afor raising or lowering the tralglsforme'rg,` 4), upon its supportsl and guides, .'Z, for thepurpose of accurately" adjusting the electrodes vertically, I prefer to em loythe mechanism shown in the drawings m which'20 isa bevel gear adapted to .,beretat'ed by means of a bevel pinion, 26, VA"secured to a shaft 27, which` in turn is rotatedfby means `of a pair of bevel pinions,

28,/29. Pinion, 29, is secured to a vertical shaft, 30, which carries at its lower end a worm wheel, 31, which meshes ,with a suitable worm, 32, .carried by a shaft, 33. The

9. This supporting frame for theshaft, 30,

may conveniently be made by bolting bars,

35, to the head frame, 9, and providing a suitable bearingsupport, 36, for shaft,33, at thelower end of the bars, 35. The bearing-support, 36, may be secured to bars, 35, any suitable manner as by means ofthe bolts, 3'?, and maybe provided with suitable bearings lfor the shafts'iBO and 33, as shown in the .1.

It will be observed that by means of the worm gear and bevel gear reductions between the hand wheel, 33, and the nut, 19, extremely small, vertical, adjustments of the position of the transformer upon its guide supports may be effected. This is .an important feature of my invention which will be further explained in this specification.

The transformer structure includes the laminated core, 38, which is clamped together by means of clamps, 39 and 40. and bolts, 41. The primary windings, as shown in Figs. 3 and 13 are divided into separate coils, 42, which are sandwiched between loops 43, of the secondary winding. In the transformer shown in the drawings a oneturn secondary is employed and I prefer to form this secondary by casting it in a single integral casting and by dividing the 'inductor portion of the secondary into separated loops in order to permit of a better distribution of the primary windings between the sections of the secondary inductor; to provide better ventilation; to provide a secondary winding without electrical joints; to reduce the expense of manufacture; to facilitate assembling the transformer; to provide a transformer of such shape as will be best adapted to the design of the welding machine; and to provide a transformer having suitable electrical and magnetic characteristics for properly doing the work it has to perform.

The sectional secondary loops, 43, of the transformer secondary are cast integrally with the bus-bar portions, 44, and are provided with seats, 45, forming supports for the core, 38. Suitable insulating plates, 46, may be provided for insulating the transformer secondary from the core clamping plate, 40. The core clamping plates, 39 and 40, may be insulated and magnetically disconnected from the core by means of insulating plates, 47 and 48.

I prefer to mount and support the transformer in a housing, 10compo'sed of a shell or bod 49, to which bearing blocks, 50, are secure these bearing blocks having accurately bored bearing a ertures, 11`,"in which the rods, 7, have sli ing fits. The transformer housing is thus securely supported and accurately guided in its vertical movements. The transformer proper is supported in the housing, 10, by means of a metal plate, 51, secured to the lower flanges of shell, 49, by means of bolts, 52. The plate, 51, extends inwardly lfrom the shell, 49, forming a tiange which vsupports the transformer. The'bus-bar portions, 44, of the transformer secondary rest upon insu; lations, 53, upon plate, 51, andare secured thereto by means of cap screws, 54, which are insulated from plate, 51.

For positioning the transformer proper in the shell, 49, I prefer to provide set screws,

55, which are screwed through threaded apertures in the shell, 49, and have their ends bearing against the sides of core clamping plate, 40. The provision of four of these set screws, placed at the respective four corners of the transformer enables the transformer core and consequently the electrodes to be accurately aligned with the machine in an obvious manner. To permit of such alignment the holes in plate, 51, through which the insulated cap screws, 54, pass may be made somewhat larger than the diameter of the insulating bushings which surround the cap screws, 54. The welding electrodes, 56, are mounted upon but insulated from a shaft, 57, which I prefer to make of' non-magnetizable material such for instance, as phosphor bronze. As will be seen in Fig. 3, the electrodes, 56, are detachably secured to flanged hub members, 58, by means of insulated bolts, 59. The flanged hub members, 58, are insulated from each other and from the shaft, 57, upon which they are securely mounted for rotation therewith. The electrode members, 56, it will be observed, may thus be made interchangeable so that electrodes grooved for welding different sizes of tubes may be readily substituted, one set for another, upon the flanged hub members, 58, or, worn out electrodes may be readily replaced by new ones.

The electrode unit comprising the insulated electrode members, 56, and the shaft, 57, with the intervening insulations and securing members is preferably mounted in ball or other anti-friction bearings, 60, which are secured in depending secondary terminal members, 61, which extend downwardly from the secondary bus bar members, 44, and are preferably cast integrally therewith. Bearings, 60, are preferably insulated from the shaft, 57, and are so shown in the drawings but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the bearings, 60, may be mounted in uninsulated relation to the shaft, 57, provided they be insulated from the terminal members, 61. The torminal members, 61, are preferably divided ina horizontal plane, 62, through the axis of shaft, 57 ,"and have their inner opposed faces, 63, accurately finished for the purpose of making good electrical contact with the current collecting devices which conduct current from the stationary terminals, 61, to the 'revoluble electrodes,v56.

I prefer to employ current collecting devices like those shown and described in my application for Lettera Patent Serial No. 434,706 filed January 3rd, 1921 (Patent No. 1,433,852) in which the brushes extend obliquely across the spaces between each electrode, 56, and the opposed face, 63, of the secondary terminal, 6 1, and make edge contact at vlone end with the secondary terminal and at the other. end with the elec-V trode, suitable mea ns being provided for making pressure between the brushes and "the opposed Contact surfaces and for com- Gustav V. Johnston may be employed ifv desired.

For adjusting the electrodes transversely of the work being welded I prefer to provide thrust sleeves such as those shown at 64 which are adapted to bear against the nonrotating members of the anti-friction bearing, 60, and to be adjusted in position by means of-set screws, 65, which are threaded through brackets, 66, secured to the terminal members, 6l, by means of bolts, 67. It will be seen that by loosening one of the set screws, 65, and tightening the other, the shaft, 57, and consequently the electrodes, 5 6, may be accurately adjusted in position transversely to the line of direction of movement of the tubing being welded. When in proper adjustment jam nuts, 68, may be' tightened to prevent accidental change of the adjustment. In the event that it should be desired to permit the electrodes to float that is to say, to move transversely. to the A tube being welded in order to follow a tube which may not be perfectly straight, the set screws, 65, may be unscrewed suniciently to provide the necessary clearance for end play of shaft, 57. Y,

The electrode rolls, 56, are separated from each other by a narrow space, 69, and are grooved adjacent to this space, as shown at 70, to lit the surface of the tube being welded. The tube which constitutes the work being welded is shown at 71. For supporting the tube below the electrodes, 56, andfor pressing the sides of the tube inward'as-it passes through the welding throat, I prefer to provide supporting and side pressure rolls, 72,

which are freeto revolve about their axes upon studs or spindles, 73. The rolls, 72,`

are provided with grooves, 74, properly shaped to most effectively support the tube and press its sides together in a manner which will,'with the' coaction of the electrodes, 56, make an eiiicient weld when the Walls of the seamcleft are properly heated. '4 The rolls, 72, rest upon ball or other antifriction thrust bearings, 7 5, whichtogether with the studs, 73, are mounted in adjustable slides, 76. The rolls, 72, are preferably in- 'sulated 'from the studs, 73, and from the 77, in turn may be lined with a bearing metal bushing, 78. The roll, 72, is thus insulated from the stud, 73. Between the roll, 72, and'its supporting bearing, 75, is a plate or disk, 79, of insulating material which, together with the insulating bushing, 77, completely insulates the rolls, 72, from each other and from the rest of the machine. It will be understood that either one or both of the rolls, 72, may be insulated in the manner described. By thus insulating the supporting and side pressure rolls, loss of energy from the short-circuiting of current around the welding zone is avoided but I would have it understood that this insulation of the supporting andl side'pressure rolls is not essential to the successful welding of tubing as many hundred thousandl feet of tube have been successfully welded in machines built in accordance with my invention in which the supporting and side pressure rolls were not so insulated but had direct metal contact both with the studs, 73, 'and bearings, 75.

As it is possible to weld tubing'- at a high rate of speed in a machine built in accord# the side pressure upon the tube after it has passed through the welding-.throat until the welded seam has cooled and hardened sufficiently to withstand any force which may tend to open it. For -this purpose I prefer to provide one or more pairs of side pressure rolls, 80, which may be mounted in a similar manner to the supporting and side pressure rolls, 72, and be lprovided, with the same kind of adjustments.' It will be observed that the rolls, 72,V are not as high as rolls, 80, for the reason that the former stand at the weldingv throat and have to be made lower to provide room .for the electrodes which make contact with the surface of the tube over considerable arcs of its circumference.

I have found itdesirable to provide means for varying the distance between the members Aof pair of supporting or side pressure rolls and also to provide means for moving both rolls simultaneously in the same 'direction transversely to the tube being welded. To 'accomplish these adjustments I mount the sliding members, 76, in guides, 8l, for movements transverse to the tube and provide means for adjusting the members of each pair of rolls, towards and from each other, consisting of a rod, 82, threaded at one end with a right hand thread and at the other endwith a left hand thread, the

threaded portions engagin nuts, 83, which are secured to the slides, by means of screws, v84. It will be apparent, however, that instead of employing separate nuts, 83, bolted to the slides, the nuts may be dispensed with if suitable threaded apertures are provided in the slides, 7 6. The ends of rod, 82, are preferably squared as shown at 82, for the reception of an operating wrench. The slides, 76, are preferably supported upon a plate, 85, which in turn is supported upon the bed plate, l, of the machine. The slides, 76, and plate, 85, are preferably made of non-magnetizable mate rial in order to keep down the inductance of the welding circuit.

To move the supporting and side pressure rolls simultaneously in the same direction transverse to the tube, set screws, 86, may be provided which are screwed through brackets, 87, which` are preferably detachably secured to plate, 85. The ends of set screws, 86, engage the ends of rod, 82, and it will be apparent that by loosening one of the screws and tightening the other, the slides, 76 and consequently the rolls, 72, will be moved in the same direction transverse to the tube.

I have found it desirable to be able to osition the supporting and side pressure ro ls, 7 2, slightly out ofthe plane of contact of the electrodes with the tube and for this purpose I prefer to secure the plate, 85, to the base, 1, by means of bolts, 88, and to provide elongated, slotted holes in plate, 85, to permit it to be so s et as to position the rolls, 72, in relation to the electrodes, 56, where desired. Suitable means, such as the brackets, 853L and 85h, and set screws 85c (Fig. 1) may be employed for effecting the adjustment of plate,

85, in an obvious manner..

For lubricating the bearings of the rolls, 72, upon studs, 7 3, I prefer to provide grease or oil cups, 89, whic are screwed upon the studs, and supply lubricant through suitable apertures. By off-setting the grease cups,

89', as shown in the drawings, greater clearance is provided y between the tops of the studs, 7 3, and the secondary terminals, 61, of the transformer than would be possible if the grease cups were mounted directly upon the ends of the studs. This is a desirable feature as the electrodes, 56, are gradually worn smaller in diameter by use and the transformer has to be lowered towards the tube to compensate for this wear.

It will be seen in the drawings that a substantially closed welding throat is formed by the grooves in the supporting rolls, 72, and the grooves in the electrodes, 56. The openings in the otherwise closed. wall of the passage or welding throat through which the tube passes, are the space, 69, through which space the seam cleft passes between the electrodes, the spaces, 90, between the electrodes and support-ing rolls, 72, and the space, 91,

'between the supporting rolls, 72. These 4to 6 volts to be sufficient) the actual clearances between the electrodes and the other parts of the machine from which the electrodes must be insulated may be very small.

It has already been mentioned that the provision of extremely small, selective, vertical adjustments of the transformer and the electrodes, 56, is an important feature of my invention. It will be readily understood that when tubing is being traversed through the machine at a speed of from 60 to 90 feet per minute or even greater speed, that there must be extremely accurate correlation of the factorswhich make possible a continuous, efficient weld. Among these factors are the side pressure upon the seam cleft, and the volume of current flowing across the seam cleft. As the resistance of the seam cleft and the resistance of the contact between the electrodes and the tube constitute the major portion of the electrical resistance of the circuit through which the welding current passes and as these resistances are substantially the only variable resistances in the welding circuit it follows that if one or both of these resistances can be varied at will, the volume of current in the circuit can also be varied since it is supplied at practically constant potential. of the pressure between the contacting edges of the tube at the seam cleft and variation of the pressure of the electrodes upon the tube both have a marked eect upon the volume means of the extremely small vertical adjustments of the electrodes for which I have made provision, I am enabled to vary and control not only the contact pressure between the electrodes and the tube but, by the coaction of the supporting and side pressure rolls, to also vary the pressure between the edges of the tube at the seam cleft. It will be apparent that downward pressure of the electrodes upon the top surface of the tube will tend to Hatten the tube and widen it in the welding throat. This widening effect will however, be resisted both by the supporting rolls, 72, and the encompassing grooves in the electrodes, 56, and will react to increase the pressure between the edges of the tube at the seam cleft. As noted above the downward pressure of the electrodes upon the top surface of the tube will tend to Hatten Iand widen the tube in the welding I have found that variation t of current flowing through the circuit. By

method of control.

throat. It is obvious that this will result in increasin the area of the contacting 'surfaces of t e electrodes upon the tube.

So far as T am aware it has not heretofore been proposed to control the volume of current flowing in a welding machine of thef the tube and between the contacting edges of the seam cleft constitute the major portion of the resistance of the welding circuit. (2) 0n account of the extremely large current required for welding, the conductors for transmitting the welding current are so massive that it is impracticable if not indeed impossible to vary the resistance of the welding circuit by heretofore known resistance varying devices. (3) For these reasons it hereto ore has been the practice to rely wholly upon a variation of the potential of the weldin circuit for varying the welding current.

y invention adds the very desirable feature of varying the current by varying the pressure and thereby varying the contact resistance of .the electrodes upono the tube. This of course does not preclude-the variation of the potential of the welding circuit which method of current control may be and preferably is used in conjunction with the contact pressure variation referred to.A

Amon the advantages of controlling the current y means of the variation in contact ressure are: l

1. ere is no loss of energy from such a The greater or lesser heat required results directly at the welding point from the change of pressure effected.

2. There is no change whatever in the power factor of the welding current.

3. There is no change in the impedance of the welding circuit excepting at the welding point, between the electrodes.

4. The simultaneous and practically micrometric adjustment of the electrodes provided in this machine, and which is due to the unitary construction of the electrode unit, does not change the alignment and has very little effect upon the register of the meeting edges within the range ofI adjustment necessary for making a material change in the current flow. When variations of current of considerable magnitude are desired, the usual methods of regulation are first used, and the method of this invention for closer adjustment.

5. All other methods of regulating welding current involve' variations in the power factor of the welding circuit or ener losses in transformation, neither of whic result from regulating the current by varying the pressure of the electrodes in accordance with the present invention..

By -localizing the variable factors, or va-riables of the welding circuit within a small area including the edges or surfaces being welded, a more effective control of the weld is obtained. The variable factors Vof the welding circuit that are localized within a small area including the welding `point comprise-the welding current, the areas of Contact between the electrodes and the work, the pressure of the electrodes u on the Work, the pressure of the contactlng seam surfaces upon each other and the areas of the seam surfaces that are vin contact with other. The rate of travel of the work being welded has an influence upon the co-ordination of the other factors, but the rate of travel is not necessarily affected by varying the electrode pressure.

For guiding the seam cleft into the Welding throat so that it will be accurately positioned midwa between the electrodes, lf prefer to use t e device shown at 92 in Fig. 1 of the drawings and in detail in Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12. In this device the tube, 71, passes between one or more pairs of opposed grooved rollers, 93, 94, the roller, 93, having a smooth groove adapted to fit the wall of the tube blank while roller, 94, is provided at its center with an annular metal fin, 95, which is adapted to enter the seam cleft. Preferably the roller, 94, is made in two similar parts and the part, 95, is a metal disc clamped between them, as clearly shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

The rollers, 93 and 94 are supported in adjustable bearings, 96, and 97 respectively which bearings are carried by a rockinghead or turret, 98. The rocking member, 98, has a cylindrical'portion, 99, which rests in a support, 100, preferably mounted upon the plate, 85, in order that the seam guide may be as close as'possible to the electrode throat. Tt will be understood that the seam cleft in the formed tube blank is sometimes not straight but is'somewhat in the form of a spiral of extremely long pitch. This is due to the uneven strainingof the tube blank when it is being formed from the 'at strip into an openseam tube. For this reason it is desirable that the seam guide be as close to the welding throat as .,/possible in or'der that the tendency of the7 seam cleftv to resume its spiral form after having passed' through the seam guide may not throw the seam cleft out of its central position between the electrodes in the welding throat.

The rocking head, 98, is preferably provided with flanges, 101, which abut against corresponding flanges upon the bracket, 100,

and the bracket cap, 102. The adjustment of the the seam guide for the purpose of controlling the position of the `seam cleft is effected by rocking the turret member, 98, in its bearing in'bracket, 100. To accomplish this adjustment I pre-fer to provide opposed set screws, 103, 104, which are screwed through suitable apertures in the cap, 102, and bear against the rocking member, 98, upon opposite sides of the tube at 105, 106. By loosening one of the set screws, 103 or 104 and tightening the other the member, 98, may be rocked about its center and the guiding fins, 95, in the seam cleft of the tube will twist the tube about its aXis to any extent desired.

It will be yunderstood that the rolls, 93 and l94, are preferably grooved to suit the size of the tube which is being welded in order that accurate adjustments of the seam cleft may be maintained. To facilitate changing the rolls, 93 and 94, I prefer to provide the removable cap, 102,f for the bracket, 100, and to provide an open slot 107, in the rockin member, 98. For the same purpose I prefer to make provision for the bodily removal of the bearing members, 96 and 97, from their supports in the rocking member, 98. Figs. 9, 10, 11 and, 12 clearly show these provisions in which the cap, 102 is secured to the bracket, 100, by means of cap screws 108, the bearings 96 and 97 are shown supported upon slides, 109, and the adjustments of the bearings 96 and 97 as being accomplished by means of opposed set screws, 110, 111, which are `threaded through tie plates, 112, which span the openings for the bearings, 96 and 97 and are secured to the member, 98, by means of cap screws, 113.

It will be seen that by removing the cap, 102, the plates, 112 and the rolls, 94, the rocking head, 98, mayv be rotated 180 and lifted out of its bearing in the bracket, 100, without disturbing the tube. While I have shown no provision for lubricating the bearings of'the rolls, 94, it will be understood that any well known provision may be made for this purpose.

I am` aware that it heretofore has been proposed to guide the seam cleft of the tube blank in a welding machine by means ofa roller provided with a pin such as my menibers, 94 and 95, and a complemental roll such as my roll, 93, but so far as I am aware,

no provision heretofore has been made forseparately vremoving and replacing or changing these guiding 'members or for adjusting theV complemental rolls, 93 and 94 towards and' from each other.

For vcooling the secondary terminals of the transformer, recesses, 114, may be provided which may be closed by plates, 115, and gaskets, 116, to form chambers or jackets through which cooling water or other fluid may be circulated. Inlet and outlet connections such as the pipe connections, 117 and 118, respectively, may be provided and the cooling fluid may be caused to pass through the ackets from any convenient source in known manner. I have found it best to arrange the outlet opening at the eX- treme top of the jacket and for this purpose the outlet tube may be inserted into the outlet to within close proximity to the top of the jacket as shown at 119, Fig. 2.

rlhe use of non-magnetic material in shaft, 57, hub members, 58, slides, 76, plate, 85, and other parts in close proximity to the welding circuit, minimizes the magnetic induction of the welding circuit and prevents the reduction of its power factor. This is desirable not only because the regulation of the power circuit to which the primary winding of the welding transformer is connected is less affected by the making and breaking of the welding circuit than it would be were there large masses of magnetic material close to the welding circuit, but, also because the regulation of the welding current is more constant.

I claim as my invention 1. The method of controlling the variable electrical resistance of the welding circuit in progressive, electric, butt-seam welding, which comprises selectively varying, during the welding, the constantly applied and otherwisesuniform contact pressure between the electrodes and the work.

`2. The method of controlling the variable electrical resistance of the welding circuit in progressive, electric, butt-seam welding, which comprises controlling the contact arca of the electrodes upon the work by selectively varying, during the welding, the constantly applied and otherwise uniform contact pressure-between the electrodes and the work.

3. The method of controlling the volume of current flowing in an electric, butt seamwelding circuit which consists of varying the resistance of the contact of the electrodes with the work by varying the pressure of the electrodes on the work.

4. The method of controlling the volume of current flowing in an electric, butt seam.-

' welding circuit which consists of varying the resistance of the contact of the electrodes two electrodes connected respectively to the opposite terminals of said circuit and adapted to make electrical contact with the work upon respectively opposite sides of the seam being welded, means for supporting said electrodes above the work, said means includingv a liftingY screw -andi-iut one of which is supported upon a stationary supheating the edges of the seam-cleftof the port, 'and means for causing relative rotation of said screw and nut for the purpose described. y

6. In electric, seam-Welding apparatus, the combination of a transformer, electrodes supported by and electrically connected to the terminals of said transformer adapted to make contact with upwardly presented surfaces of the Work to be welded, means for supporting said transformer including a lifting screw and a nut therefor, and meansvr for causing relative rotation.A of said screw and nut for the purpose described.

7. In electricseam-Weldin'g apparatus, a pair of electrodes adapted to make contact With the work upon respectively. opposite sides of the vseam being Welded, means for causing relative seam-traversing movement of the electrodes and the work, adjustable Work-supporting and guiding means engaging the Work on both sides of the seamand adapted'upon adjustment in either direction transversel to said seam traversing movementfpositively to move the Work in the d 1- rection ofl said adjustment relative to said electrodes, and means for adjusting said work-supporting and guiding means transversely to said electrodes.

8. In apparatus for welding tubing, the combination with tube-traversing and seamguiding means, of means forprogressively tubeat one place in the path of its movement, means for progressively compressing the tube circumferentially in the plane of said place whereby the seam-cleft is Welded,

.n `,a pair of grooved, side-pressure rolls adapted to engage the welded tube 'at-a point closely adjacent to but removed from said place in the direction of movement of the tube, and

means for adjusting said side-pressure rolls l v-to vary their pressure upon the tube.

9. In apparatusfor lelectrically welding tubing the combination with tube-traversing and seam-guiding means, of a pair of electrodes adapted'to make contact with" the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the 'seam-cleft, means for supporting the, tube "in vcontact with said electrodes and means of said grooved roller in the direction of movement of the tube.

11. In apparatus for electrically Welding tubing, the combination With'tube-traversing and seam-guiding means, of a pair of electrodes adapted to make contact with the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the seam-cleft, means for supporting the tube in contact with the electrodes including a pair of side pressure rolls having. complemental grooves adapted to engage the tube in supporting relation thereto, and means for varying the position of said rolls in the direction of movement of the tube.

12. In apparatus for electrically Welding tubing, the combination With tube-traversing and seam-guiding means, of av pair of' electrodes adapted to make contact with the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the seam# cleft, means for supporting the tube in contact with the electrodes including a pair of side pressure rolls having complemental grooves adapted to engage the tube in supporting relation thereto, means for varying the position of said rolls in the direction of movement of the tube, and means for moving said rolls toward andI from each other transversely to the movement of the tube.

13. In apparatus for electrically Welding tubing, the combination with tube-traversing and seam-guiding means, of a pair of electrodes adapted to make contact with the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the seamcleft, means for supporting the tube in cntact With the electrodes including a pair of side pressure rolls having complemental grooves adapted to engage .the tube in sup-i porting relation thereto, means for varying the position of said rolls in the direction of movement of the tube, means for moving said rolls toward and from each other transversely to the movement of the tube, and means for moving said rolls simultaneously in the same direction transversely to the movement of the tube.

14. In apparatus for electrically Welding tubing, the combination with tube-traversing and seam-guiding means, of a pair of electrodes adapted to make contact with the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the seamcleft, means for supporting the tube in contact With the electrodes including a pair of side pressure rolls having complemental grooves adapted to engage the tube in supporting relation thereto, and means for simultaneously moving both of said rolls toward and from each iother transversely to the movement-of the tube Without disturbing the adjustment of the electrodes.

15. In apparatus for el trically Welding tubing, thev combination willi and seam-guiding means, of a pair of electrodes adaptedto make contact with the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the seamcleft, means for supporting the tube in contube-traversing tact with the electrodes including a pair of side pressure rolls having complemental grooves adapted to engage the tube in supporting relation thereto, and means for moving said rolls simultaneously in the same direction transversely to the movement of the tube.

16. In apparatus for electrically welding tubing, the combination with tube-traversing and seam-guiding means, of a, pair of electrodes adapted to make contact with the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the seamcleft, means for supporting the tube in conck tact with the electrodes including a pair of side pressure rolls having complemental grooves adapted to engage the tube in supporting relation thereto, means for moving said rolls toward and from each other transverselyl to the movement of the tube, and means for moving said rolls simultaneously in the same direction transversely to the movement of the tube.

17. In a welding machine, a seam guiding device comprising a roll having an annular peripheral fin adapted to enter the seam cleft of the tube, a second roll adapted to engage the side of the tube opposite said first named roll and support the tube in Contact therewith and with said' fin between the opposite adges of the seam-cleft, a rocking housing for supporting said rolls said housing having an open sided aperture adapted to permit the passage ofy the tube therethrough, a support for said housing, means for adjusting said housing in said support circumferentially around said tube, said first named roll being removably supported in said housing to permitits removal therefrom in a direction radial to said tube.

18. In apparatus of the class described, a frame, a transformer adjustably supported for vertical movements upon said frame, electrodes mounted upon said transformen adapted to contact with work below said transformer, and means mounted on said frame for adjustably raising and lowering said transformer and said electrodes to vary the Contact pressure between said electrodes andthe work.

19.-- In apparatus of the class described, a4

'transformer having a one-piece, integral secondary provided with downwardly extending.

with for conducting current from said terminals to said'electrodes.

20. In apparatus of the class described,

' the combination with a transformer and means for supporting it above the work in downwardly extending terminals, of a pair of revoluble electrodes supported between said terminals, said electrodes being mounted upon but insulated from a shaft and secured thereto for synchronous rotation therewith, and bearings for said shaft carried by said terminals.

21. In apparatus of the cflass described, the combination with a transformer and means for supporting it above the work in adjustable relation thereto, said transformer having a one-piece secondary and integral downwardly extending terminals, of a pair of revoluble electrodes supported between said terminals said electrodes being mounted upon but insulated from a shaft and secured thereto for synchronous rotation therewith, bearings for said shaft carried by said terminals, and means for adjusting the position of said shaft and said electrodes transversely to the plane of rotation thereof.

22. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a supportingframe and means for supporting and longitudinally traversing a tube above said frame, of a transformer adjustably supported on said frame above said tube, said transformer having a one piece integral secondary with downwardly extending terminals, revoluble electrodes supported in bearings by said terminals in insulatedrelation thereto and to each other, brush means for conducting current from said terminals to said electrodes, said terminals having a coolingfluid jacket compartment, and means for circulating a cooling fluid through said compartment.

23. In electric seam welding apparatus, an electrode structure comprising a revoluble shaft, a pair of hubs mounted on said shaft and insulated therefrom for rotation therewith, said hubs being also insulated from each other, and a pair of electrodes respectively, detachably secured to said hubs in spaced apart relation toeach other, said shaft extending outwardly beyond said hubs to form bearing supports for said electrode structure.

24. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a frame having vertically extending guides, of a transformer adjustably mounted on said guides, said transformer having downwardly extending terminals from its secondary coils, revoluble electrodes supported in bearings by said terminals, work supporting means mounted on said frame below said electrodes, said work supporting means comprising a member of non-magnetic material carried by said frame and means for traversing work between said electrodes and said member.

25. In an electric seam-welding machine of the class described, the combination with a frame having vertically extending guides, of a transformer housing adjustably mounted on said guides adapted to support the Y means for adjusting the position of said core and windings in said housing.

26. In an electric seam-welding machine, the combination with a frame having vertically extending guides, of a transformer housing adjustably mounted on said guides, a transformer supported in said housing, said transformer having downwardly extending terminals, a -pair of electrodes supported by said terminals and adapted when properly aligned to malte contact with the work upon respectively opposite sides of the seam being welded, and means for adjusting the ,position of said 'transformer in said housing to align said electrodes as described. 27. In apparatus for welding tubing, the combination with tube-traversing means, o means for progressively heating the edges of the seam-cleft of the tube at one place in the path of its movement, adjustable compressing means for compressing the tube circumferentially in the plane of said place whereby the seam-cleft is welded, and a pair of pressure rolls adapted to engage the.

welded tube at a point removed from but closely adjacent to lsaid place in the direction of movement of the tube, and" means independent of said adjustable compressing means for varying the pressure of said rolls upon the tube.

28. In apparatus for electrically welding tubing, the combination with tube traversingv means, of a pair of electrodes adapted to make contact with the tube upon revpeetively 'opposite sides of the seam-cleft,

tube supporting and guiding means for supporting the tube in contact with the elec` trodes, said tube supporting and guiding means having a groove adapted to contact with the tube throughout substantially'all of that portion of the tube circumference not encompassed by said electrodes, said electrodes and said tube supporting and guiding means being freely spaced from each other and Vtheir grooves togetherforming a welding throat, and means for simultaneously adjusting in the same direction transversely of said electrodes the parts of said tube supporting and guiding means in which said groove is formed.

29. In apparatus for electrically welding tubing, the combination with tube-traversing means, of a pair of electrodes adapted' to make contact with the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the seam-cleft, means for supporting the tube in contact with the electrodes, said tube supporting means being adapted to engage the tube upon both sides of the axial plane of the tube that passes through the seam-cleft, and means for simultaneously adjusting both sides of said tube supporting means in the same direction.

transversely of said electrodes.

30. In atube welding machine, a. seam to enter the seam between the edges of the `tubestock.

31. In a tube welding machine, a seam guiding device comprising a. rocking member co-axial with the tube stock, a support therefor, means for rotatably adjusting said rocking member about its axis in said support, said rocking member comprising two parts, one part having an open-sidedaperture co-axial with the tube stock and the other partforming a removable closure for the open side of said aperture, and a guiding fin carried by said last-named member adapted to enter the seam between the edges of the' tube stock.

- 32. In an electric tube welding machine, the combination comprising tube-stock guiding means consisting of a rocking member co-axial with the tube stock, a support for said rocking member, means to adjust the alinement of said rocking member in said support, spaced sets of tube engaging rollers, and a roller in each set provided-with a guiding n.

33. In an electric tubewelding machine, the combination comprising tube-stock guiding means consisting of a rocking member co-axial with the tube-stock, a support for said rocking member, means tol adjust the alinement of said rocking member in said support, spaced sets of tube engaging rollers,

'work seam to be welded, effecting relative movement between the electrodes and the Work, pressing the seam edges together at the welding point and co-ordinating the variable vfactors of the circuit that are localized within a small areaV including the weldingpoint by selectively controlling the movement of the otherwise uniformly applied electrodes towards or from the work. 35. The metho'd of progressive'. electric butt seam welding which comprises supply- 'ing Welding currentto a circuit including thesea'm to bewelded and co-ordinating the vvariable factors ofthe circuitthat are localized within a small area including the weldotherwise uniformly appliedpressure of the electrodes upon the work.

`ing point by selectively controlling the -buttseam welding which comprises supplying welding current to a circuit including thel seam to be welded in rapidly moving work and yco-ordinating the variable factors of the circuit that are localized within a small area includin the welding point by selectively varying t e otherwise uniformly applied'pressure of the electrodes upon the work.

37. The method of high-speed progressive electric butt tube welding, which comprises supplying welding current to a circuit including a rapidly moving tube-form containing a seam to be welded, and coordina-ting the variable factors of the circuit that are localized within a small area including the welding point by selectively varying the pressure otherwise uniformly applied of the electrodes upon thel tubeform.

38. The method of continuous electric butt-seam welding, which comprises passing skelp through a welding throat and introducing variations in the area of the welding throat during the welding operation to maintain the application of substantiallyy uniform effective welding heat and pressure between the contacting edges of the skelp seam-cleft as said skelp passes through the welding throat.

39. The method of continuous electric butt-seam welding, which comprises passing slrelp through a welding throat and introducing variations in the pressure exerted by the welding throat upon the skelp during the welding operation to compensate for rthe variations in the strength ofthe welding current caused by variations `in dimensions and character of the skelp.

40. Thev method of continuous electric butt-seam tube welding which comprises passing skelp through a welding throat, causing a constant potential electric welding circuit to be closed across the butted seam-cleft to be welded, and selectively varying the pressure of the electrodes upon the work to maintain the application of substantially uniform `effective welding heat and pressure between the contacting edges of the seam-cleft as said skelp passes through the welding throat.

41. In an electric tube welding machine, the combination of rtube supporting and positioning roll means adjustably movable' transversely of the tube axis, a transformer, electrodes carried thereby and. adapted to engage the tp of a tube respectively on opposite sides of the seam cleft, the electrodes and transformer being adjustably movable in la vertical plane, adjusting means for moving the said roll means transversely of the tube axis and of the plane of rotation of the electrodes independently of the electrodes, and ladjusting means for moving the transformer and electrodes in a vertical plane to vary selectively the otherwise uniform contact pressure between the tube and electrodes.

42. In an electric tube vwelding machine,

the combination of 'a pair of tube supportl and of the plane of rotation of the electrodes independently of the electrodes, and adjusting means for moving the transformer and electrodes in a vertical plane to vary selectively the otherwise uniform contact pressure between the tube and electrodes.

43. In an electric, tube welding machine, the combination of roll means for supporting a tube to be welded with the seam cleft uppermost, rotatable electrodes adapted to contact respectively with the tube on opposite sides of the seam cleft, and means for selectively varying the otherwise uniformly applied contact pressure between the tube and electrodes, said means including a transformer carrying the electrodes and mounted for raising and lowering movement in a vertical plane in directions away from or toward theitube respectively, and positive selectivel adjustable means for positively raising t e transformer and electrodes and for permitting lowering movement of the same.

44. In a progressive electric butt seam welding machine, the combination of means for supporting work to be welded, rotatable electrodes adapted to contact respectively with the top of the work on opposite sides of the seam cleft, and means for selectively varying the otherwise uniformly applied contact pressure between the work and y electrodes, said means including a transformer carrying the electrodes and mounted for raising and lowering movements in a vertical lane in directions away from or toward tv e work, respectively, and positive selectively adjustable means for positively raising t e transformer and electrodes and `for permitting lowering movement of the Same.

45. In appartus for electric butt seam 1 welding, roll means for supporting thereon work to be welded, rotatable electrodes contacting with the top surface of the work on opposite sides respectively of the seam cleft,

and means for varying the pressure between 1 from the Work and thereby varying the portion of the Weight of the transformer and electrodes borne by the Work.

46. ln apparatus for electrically Welding tubing, the combination of tube traversing means, a pair of electrodes adapted to" make contact with the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the seam cleft, means for supporting the tube in cont-act With the electrodes, said tube supporting means being adapted to engage the tube on both sides of the axial plane of the tube which passes through the seam cleft,'and means for simultaneously adjusting both sides of said tube supporting means in the same direction transversely of said electrodes independently of said electrodes.

47. In apparatus for electricall Welding tubing, the combination With tu e traversing means, of a pair of electrodes adapted to make contactwith the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the seam cleft, means for supporting the tube in contact with -the electrodes, said tube supporting means being adapted to engagethe tube upon both sides of the axial plane of the tube that passes through the seam cleft, means for simultaneously adjusting both sides of said tube supporting means vin the same direction transversely of said electrodes, and means for adjusting the electrodes in a direction transversely of the plane of rotation of the electrodes independently of the tube supporting means.

48. 'In apparatus for electrically Welding tubing, the combination of tube traversing means, a pair of electrodes adapted to make contact with the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the seamr cleft, means for supporting the tube incontact with the electrodes, -said tube supporting means being adapted to engage the tube on both sides of the axial plane of the tube which passes through the seam cleft, and means for simultaneously adjustingboth sides of said tube supporting means in the same direction transversely-.of said electrodes independently of said electrodes, said adjusting means be-V ing operable for ezecting the said adjustment While the tube is moving throughthe apparatus. y v

neously adjusting both sides o said tube supportin means in the same direction transverse y of said electrodes, and means for adjusting the electrodes in a direction transversely of the plane of rotation of the electrodes independently of the tube supporting means, said adjusting means being operable for effecting the said adjustments while the tube is moving through the apparatus.

50. In apparatus for electrically Welding tubing, the combination of tube traversing means, of a pair of electrodes adapted to make contact with the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the seam cleft, means for supporting the tube in contact with the electrodes, said tube supporting means being adapted to engage the tube upon both sides of the axial plane of the tube that passes through the seam cleft, and means for simultaneously adjusting both electrodes'in the same direction transversely of the plane of rotation thereof independently of said tube supporting means.

5l. ln apparatus for electrically Welding tubing, the combination of tube traversing means, of a pair of electrodes, adapted to make contact with the tube upon respectively opposite sides of the seam cleft, means for supporting the -tube in contact with the lelectrodes, said tube supporting means being adapted to engage the tube upon both sides of the axial plane `of the tube that passes through the seam cleft, and means for simultaneously adjustingboth electrodes in the same direction transversely of the plane tube supporting means, said adjusting means being operable for effecting the said 100 adjustment while the electrodes are rotating. Y FRANK L. SESSIONS.

vof rotation thereof independently of said- CERTIFICATE or soRREcTIoN.

ParemNo. 1,722,111. I Grantedruiyso, 1929,10

FRANK L. sEssIoNs.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: In the heading to the printed specification line 5, for Serial Number "500,884" read "590,884"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent ffice. l

Signed and sealed this 1st day of October, A. D. 1929.

- M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

